Market Overview
| Study Period | 2020 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Historical Data Period | 2020 - 2023 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 4.43 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 5.44 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 4.20% CAGR |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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North America Riot Control Equipment Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The North America Riot Control Equipment Market size is estimated at USD 4.43 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 5.44 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.20% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- Although the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the regional economy, resulting in a GDP decline of more than 3%, sales of riot control equipment in the North American region remained stable from 2020 to 2022. In fact, the region witnessed several protests against the imposition of coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns, which led law enforcement agencies to use riot-control equipment to manage the crowds effectively.
- Additionally, the social unrest in the United States following the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests that turned violent caused massive property damage on some occasions, leading authorities to restock their riot control equipment to prevent loss of life and property in the future, thereby driving the market growth. Even in 2021, riots and protests erupted in several US cities following the killing of a 13-year-old boy, Adam Toledo. This situation led authorities to restock riot control equipment to manage such situations effectively.
- The market growth may be further driven by the development of advanced, less-lethal weapons, such as dropping low-velocity ammunition, pepper sprays, and other non-lethal weapons during the forecast period.
- However, the growth of the riot control equipment market may be hindered by policy changes from governments and regulatory bodies, resulting in a ban on the use of certain types of less-lethal offensive equipment during the forecast period. This policy change may hurt the regional market's growth.
North America Riot Control Equipment Market Trends and Insights
Law Enforcement Agencies are the Biggest Consumers of Riot Control Equipment
- The law enforcement segment is currently the fastest-growing sector in the riot control equipment market, and this trend is projected to continue throughout the forecast period. The increase in domestic tensions and protests in various cities throughout the United States, as well as occasional riots and civil unrest in Canada, has led to a greater need for police forces to acquire and utilize non-lethal weapons.
- The rise in demand for riot control equipment can be attributed to several protests that have taken place in the region, including the February 2022 protests against vaccine mandates in Canada and the April 2021 protests in Montreal opposing pandemic-related restrictions. To deal with these types of events, law enforcement agencies have turned to less-lethal extended-range impact weapons and tear gas, which is expected to fuel the purchase of riot control equipment.
- According to a report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the use of less-lethal extended-range impact weapons has increased across Canada. As protests and riots persist, law enforcement agencies are likely to continue requiring and utilizing such equipment, resulting in a higher demand in the coming years.
The United States is Expected to Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period
- The United States is one of the most prolific users of riot control equipment due to frequent and large-scale riots in the country. In March 2021, a series of mass shootings took place at three spas in two major cities in the United States - Atlanta, Georgia, in which eight people were killed. Several anti-Asian violence rallies occurred across the United States in 2021 in response to the rise of racism against Asian Americans. Following this, the Capitol riots in January 2021 also led to a large-scale deployment of law enforcement and military personnel, who also used riot control equipment to control the crowd.
- Several police officers faced equipment shortages while handling the crowd. Such factors are expected to lead to a higher procurement of the equipment in the future. Consequently, federal agencies have bolstered their stocks of crowd-control gear, including tear gas and sponge-tipped bullets. The country is also conducting several R&D projects to develop superior less-lethal weapons and other riot control equipment.
- For instance, the Pentagon's Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO), formerly the Joint Nonlethal Weapons Directorate, along with a host of private arms companies, spent decades testing everything from long-range wireless taser bullets to sonic guns that can disable car engines from 150 feet away. The R&D of several less-lethal weapon technologies, such as the laser-induced plasma effect blaster, carbon nanotube thermophones, pre-emplaced electric vehicle stoppers, and variable kinetic systems, is underway.
- According to the research solicitation published by the US Navy, the Pentagon is examining multiple non-lethal weapons for tasks such as disabling people or vehicles. Such demands are expected to drive market growth in the country during the forecast period.
Competitive Landscape
The North American riot control equipment market is currently dominated by several key players, including Combined Systems Inc., TASER Self-Defense (Axon Enterprise Inc.), Safariland LLC, AARDVARK, and Lamperd Less Lethal Inc. These companies are actively seeking to expand their distribution networks through strategic collaborations and partnerships.
For instance, in February 2021, Lamperd Less Lethal Inc. signed a distribution agreement with Valentis, a provider of security logistics and risk management solutions. This agreement allowed Valentis to integrate Lamperd Less Lethal products into its logistics and support network service, creating new opportunities for growth for both companies.
North America Riot Control Equipment Industry Leaders
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Combined Systems Inc.
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Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc.
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AARDVARK
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Safariland LLC
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TASER Self-Defense (Axon Enterprise, Inc.)
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- July 2022: Axon partnered with Fusus, with a vision to collectively provide holistic, mission-critical intelligence for the safety of officers and the community. The two companies will enhance operational processes for police agencies, thereby meeting the community's needs simultaneously.
- January 2021: Axon announced that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) renewed its 5-year contract with Axon and purchased 355 Axon Body 3 cameras and 5,260 TASER 7 energy weapons. With the purchase, the LAPD has 7,355 Axon body cameras and 7,530 TASER 7 energy weapons, making it the largest deployment of energy weapons in the United States.
North America Riot Control Equipment Market Report Scope
Riot control equipment refers to any equipment used by police, military personnel, or other security forces for controlling riots. The personnel protection equipment includes body armor, vehicles, riot shields, gas masks, and other related items. In contrast, the crowd dispersal equipment includes rubber bullets, wax bullets, plastic bullets, bean bag rounds, batons, tasers, and sponge grenades.
The North American riot control equipment market is segmented by product type, end user, and geography. By product type, the market is segmented into personnel protection equipment and crowd dispersal equipment. By end-user, the market is segmented into law enforcement, military, and special forces. By geography, the market is segmented into the United States and Canada.
The report also offers the market size and forecast for the riot control equipment market in major countries in the region.
Product Type
| Personnel Protection Equipment |
| Crowd Dispersal Equipment |
End User
| Law Enforcement |
| Military and Special Forces |
Country
| United States |
| Canada |
| Product Type | Personnel Protection Equipment |
| Crowd Dispersal Equipment | |
| End User | Law Enforcement |
| Military and Special Forces | |
| Country | United States |
| Canada |
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current North America Riot Control Equipment Market size?
The North America Riot Control Equipment Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 4.3% during the forecast period (2025-2030)
Who are the key players in North America Riot Control Equipment Market?
Combined Systems Inc., Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc., AARDVARK, Safariland LLC and TASER Self-Defense (Axon Enterprise, Inc.) are the major companies operating in the North America Riot Control Equipment Market.
What years does this North America Riot Control Equipment Market cover?
The report covers the North America Riot Control Equipment Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the North America Riot Control Equipment Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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